by
Paul Fassa
Health Impact News
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is defined medically as macrovesicular steatosis, or abnormal retention of lipids (fats) sufficient and large enough to distort or replace the nuclei of liver cells among those who consume less than 20 grams (.7 ounces) of alcohol per day.
NAFLD, unknown prior to 1980, has become our largest liver health issue nationally and throughout most industrialized nations.
Fatty liver disease affects metabolism and usually manifests as obesity and insulin resistance, which are direct co-factors for type 2 diabetes. It can also progress to inflammation of the liver, or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), leading to cirrhosis.
Ironically, a saturated fat (virgin coconut oil) may prove to be the safest and most effective treatment for NAFLD according to
a study published recently (September 2017) in the
Journal of the Science and Agriculture of Food.
The study, “
Virgin coconut oil reverses hepatic steatosis by restoring redox homeostasis and lipid metabolism in male Wistar rats,” noted in its background statement that more
nutraceutical offerings are being sought for reversing fatty liver disease.
